Speaking at the event themed “Making a Difference”, Ms Markle admitted she was “very excited” to begin her work with the Royal Foundation, calling the work her future husband, and brother and sister-in-law had already done “tremendous”.

She told an audience she had experience working with both international charities and smaller organisations, which worked well because of a “lot less red tape”.

(Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

She hinted towards focussing on women and girls’ rights in the work she does.

“Women don’t need to find a voice, they have a voice, they need to feel empowered to use it and people need to be encouraged to listen,” she said.

“I think right now in the climate where we are seeing so many campaigns like Me Too and Time’s Up, there is no better time than to really continue to shine a light on women feeling empowered and people really helping to support them…and that makes such a tremendous difference.”

MeghanMarkle and the Duchess of Cambridge at today’s event

The American bride-to-be wore a navy Jason Wu outfit, while the pregnant Duchess wore a royal blue Seraphine dress.

Kate said, “Many of you came together to advise us, and help us, to develop and implement our ideas. I am sure the impact we had as a whole, by engaging on this together, was the reason we were so successful in pushing these issues further into the public consciousness.

Royal Foundation Forum – In pictures

“The long-term focus is another unique feature of The Foundation and central to the way it operates. Since our roles are lifetime roles, our commitment to the work we do through The Foundation is genuinely long-term.

“The work we do can, and should, have a long-lasting resonance. For this reason, we are able to support causes which we’re passionate about for decades into the future. Rather than just for a few months or years.

“Like The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, and The Prince of Wales, we feel strongly that we have to take a long-term view that is measured in generations.

“This perspective allows us to take time to really learn about and understand the issues, and then assemble the right group of experts and partners to form coalitions to create sustainable solutions,” she said.

“It is an unusual and privileged position to be in, but I do think this long-term view will ultimately help us make a difference in the areas that we care so passionately about.”